Construction of the The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks began in 1911 (completed in 1917) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who operate the locks to this day. A botanical garden and park are also on the property.

A popular tourist attraction, the locks provide passage for boats moving between the fresh water of Lake Washington and Lake Union, and the salt water of Puget Sound. Visitors to the locks can also get an underwater view of salmon migrating up the fish ladders.